Control-carrying slide for self-playing musical instruments



JulylO, 1928. 1,676,7{50

l E. A. HUsr-:BY

' CONTROL CARRYING SLIDE FOR SELF PLAYING MUSICALl INSTRUMENTS Filed May15, v1926 millillhmlmWW Patented July 10, 1928.

haagse UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlCE.

` EDI/[OND n. HUSEBY, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs.

CONTROL-CARRYING SLIDE non SELF-PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filedMay 15,

This invention relates to the art of selfplaying musical instruments,more especially those of the pneumatically operated type, such as playerpianos; and the invention has reference more particularly7 to animproved structure of drawer or tray carrying the various controls, suchas'those governing expression devices, the tempo, the motor switch, andthe roll motor.

In the earlier types of player pianos the levers, push buttons and thelike through controls upon a movable support that, when the controlswere not in. use, as during manual playing of the instrument, couldheslid or folded beneath the keybed entirely lout of sight.

My present'invention relates `to the latter type of control ,supports orcarriers, being more especially designed for use onI self- 'playinggrand pianos.

The general obJect of the` invention is to provide va very simple andcompact tray or drawer that may conveniently be slidably mounted on theunder side of the key-bed, and -shall be adaptedto formA a carrier orsupport for all of the various controls used in a pneumatic player, withlthe manually operated control buttons, levers and the like so disposedthat the device .may be brought into operative position bywithdrawingonly the front edge portion thereotcarryingthe manuallyoperated controldevices from beneath the key-bed.` Other more specificobjects are, to provide a convenient and compact arrangement of thevarious controls on the slide, to provide an `improved motor switchthereon with manually `operable switch-closing andopeningmeans and anautomatic pneumatically yoperated switchopening device, to providean'improved control for the roll motor transmissionwith means, of whichthe current cut-off pneumatic may form an element, for actuating thesame to throw the transmission in vfrom the switch-closing means so thatthe Aelec- 1926. serial No 109,293.

trie motor operating the pumps maybe energized andthe pneumatic rollmotor simultaneously thrown into gearwith the rolls through theoperation ot' a single push button, to providea simple and improvedpushbutton-operated vent for the various expression controls, to provide Vanimproved mounting and scale for the tempo lever, and

to provide an improved structure and mounting of tra or drawer.

Still ot er objects and `attendant advantages of lthe invention will beapparent to persons skilled in the art as the same becomesbetterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, taken inconnectionwith the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated apractical and preferred embodiment of the principle'ofthe invention, andwherein- 1 is a top planview 'of my improved control-carrying tray, andof the bearing blocks in which it is slidably mounted on the under sideof the key-bed; 'A

FigfQiis a vertical section through the piano key-bed` showing myimproved tray mounted therebeneath, the forward or `withdrawn positionthereof being indicated vby dotted lines; Y Fig.` 3 is an enlargedvertical -section on the line 3-3 ot Fig. 1 through the pushbutton-operatedvent of one ofthe eXpresl sion controls; and

Fig. t is an enlargedI yvertical lsectional view on the line t-t of Fig.1 through the current shut-off pneumatic and the vent sion.

Referring to the drawings, the supporting body of the tray comprises aiiat rectangular plate 10 relatively narrow front and valve controllingthe roll motor transmise,

rear strips 11 yand 12 attached to and overly- Y ing the front and rearedge portions respectively oflthe plate 10, land a `pair of slide rods13 at their forward ends fitted into holes in the Jfront 4strip 11 andin rear thereof litted'to grooves in the ends of the rear strip 12, towhich they are-attached'V by screws 14. The rods 13 are sl'idablysupported in front and rear bearing blocks 15,` and 16 respectivelyattached, las shown in Fig. 2, to the under side of the key-bed 17.vLoose on the rods 13 are felt washers 18 to cushion the Contact of therear rame'bar 12 with theS bearing blocks 15 when the slide is .fullywithdrawn. i

Referring .now to the variou-scontrol de- Vdesigned vices carried by theslide, 2O designates the switch controlling` the circuit of the pumpmotor. The Structural details of' this switch7 being old and knowm arenot herein illustrated, lbeyond the switch-actuating rod 21, the inwardmovement 'of which closes the switch and yieldably locks it in closedposition against the opening thrust oi a compression spring 22encircling the rod 2l and abutting at one end against a fixed bracketplate 23 mounted on the plate 1() and at its other end against a collar24 fast on the rod 21. This rod 21 extends through a hole in the frontbar-11 and terminates in a projecting fpush but-ton 25, appropriatelymarked On. The switch is manually opened-by a slide rod 26likewisemountcd in a hole extending through the front bar 1l and coupledtothe switch-closing bary 21 by a lever 27; the push bar 26 likewisecarryinga push button 27 appropriately marked Ofn- Y y Mounted on yandattached to the bottom plate 10 and nlying generaly lengthwise oit thelatter is a pneumatic` 284 through which automatic opening oi theelectric -motor switch 20, and consequent shutting off of the power, iseffected, usually automatically from an aperture-in the` music sheet.The movable leaf 28 of the pneumatic 28 is connected through an L-shapedthrust rod 29 to the push-rod 21 through which the switch is manuallyclosed', whereby, when thepneumatic 28 is collapsed, the push-rod 21isthrust'rearwardly and the switch circuit is' opened.

Vhen the circuit through the pump motor is closed by closing of therswitch 20,

the normally disconnected rollinotor transmission is simultaneouslythrown into gear through avent valve operated by the movable 'limb/28ofthe pneumatic 28. yThis 'is best illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein 8Odesignates .a tube leading to a primary valve in the pneumatic action ofthe instrument through which7 on the admission of atmospheric pressurethereto,a pneumatic is energized. to throw in the' transmission of theroll-driving mechanism. The tube 30 is fitted onto a nipple 31 mountedin and crosswise of the rear frame bar 127 said nipple containng anormally spring-closed air valve 32 having a projecting stem 33 by whichit maybe opened; the valve structure being identical with that of thewell-known automobile tire valve.` The valve stemkr 33 lies opposite themovable'side 28 oit the pneumatic-28, the'outer facev of said movableside being preferably-supplied with a striki-ngplate-34. lVhen theswitch 2O of the pump motor is closed by pressing. the button 25 .allthe lway in, the; pneumatic `is expanded through theconnecting memberV29, and .the plate 34 strikes the valve stem 33 and opens the valve,admitting atmospheric pressure, and the pneumaticwhich throws in theroll motor transmission is thereby energized, so that the roll motor iscoupled to its work sin'iultaneously with thel energizing oit the pumpmotor. The function of' the 'spring'22 is to partially retract theswitch push rod 21 sufliciently to withdraw the movable side 28 of thepneui'i'iatic 28 from the stem ofthe air valve 32 and permit said valveto close, without opening the switch. y

The playing and reroll movements of the music sheet are` controlledthrough an oscillating valve 35 of known Vconstruction that is mountedon the bottom plate 10 and is formed with a group of nipples connectedto corresponding air conduit tubes 36. 3T, 38, 89 and 40 that extendalong onthe bottom plate 10 to connection with the nipples 41, 42,437 44and 45, respectively mounted in and extending through the rear frame.bar 12; said last-named nipples communicattwo pins 47 and 48 on asliding rod 49 mounted in a hole in thevfront bar 11 of the frame andequipped with a push button 50 bearing on its face the symbol On, Bypushing the button 507 Vthe-valve 35 vactuated in a direction. to shiftthe transmission clutch to effect thewinding of the music .sheet on thereceiving' spool as the piece is being played. The valve actuated in thereverse direction to shift V the transmission clutch and` drive themusic spool to effect the rapid rerolling of the musicr sheet by asliding rod 51 mounted in thel front bar 11 andxcarrying the push button52 appropriately marked Off; the rod ,51 being coupled to the rod 49'`by a'lever 53 which relatively reverses the directions ofinovementof thetwo rods when either isactuated.' 1 y Also mounted on the tray vis agroupof manual controls forr the variousr expression devices of theinstrument.` These controls are all structurally identical and are,therefore, identified by identical reference numeralsv in the drawing.By reterence to Fig. 1 it will be observed that the front bar V11 of thetray is somewhat widened in a forward direction at its intermediateportion? 54. On the lower end of the stem 58 is secured a. plunger 59equipped 'on its lower side with a facing60 of soft rubber or the likethat isnormally pressed upwardly by a leaf spring 61'attached as byscrews 62 to the rear-'portion of the under side Vofthe bar 11. To theunder side of the bar 11 above the spring 61 is glued a washer 62 offelt, rubber or like soft material, the central aperture of whichregi-sters with an air duct- 63 formed in the bar 11, said ductcommunicating with a nipple 6afitted therein and projecting sufficientlybeyond the rear edge of the bar 11to permit the telescoping attachmentof a rubber tube: 65, which lat ter extends across the tray and at itsother end is telescoped` over a similar nipple 66 mounted'in andextending through the rear bar 12 of the tray. To the rearl ends of thenipples 66 are connected flexibleitubes (not shown) which extend totheseveral pneumatic actuating mechanisms of` the expressiondevices lof theinstrument.` The admission-of atomospheric air to -the duct- 68 actuatesthe expression mechanism cont-rolled by said duct; and the admission ofsuch atmospheriepressure, when desired, is manifestly obtained by asimpledepression of the pushibutton 59 which bendsvthe spring valve `61out ofclosing-contact with the washer-"62 andthus opens the vent duct63.

The characters `of the various expression controls are .shown bysuitablesymbols on the plate 54 associated with the several pushbutton-s, Vas clearlyindicated inlig. 1. To

facilitate the attachmentuof the; spring valve 61, the forward edgeportion of the-bottom plate 10-is countersunk, as: shown at 10 in Fig. jy i The tray also carries 'the tempo lever. This latter, indicated by 67inthe drawings, is pivoted at 68 on the rear bar 12, and extendsforwardly across the bottom plate, its forward or handle portion 67being downwardly offset and extending through a horizontal slot 11 inthe front bar 11. On said front bar above the slot 11 isl attached ametal plate 69 bea-ring on its upper surface the usual tempo scale 70.Overlying and co-operating with said scale is a pointer 71, the stem orshank portion of which is attached to the lever 67 as by screws 72. Therear arm 67 a of the tempo lever lying beyond the pivot 68 is connected,by suitable flexible means permitting the limited in and out" movementsof the tray, with the usual throttle or choker valve of the tempo box.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be observed that the distance between thewashers 18 and the front bearing blocks 15 in which the tray, is mountedis equal to the central or maxi mum width of the front bar 11 of thetray carrying the push buttons and the tempo lever handle; inconsequence of which, when the tray is fully Withdrawn from beneath thekey-bed, only the front bar 11 and the control-operating devices mountedthereonare exposed to view. -lt will also 'be noted that the describedmechanism, with the exception of the tempo lever, dispenses entirelywith handle levers for actuating they various controls, substitutingtherefor slide rods rand push buttons which are much simpler and lessobtrusive in appearance and require less space forv manipulation.

Vhile I haveherein shown and described one simple and practicalembodiment of the linvention well adapted to effectuate the statedpurposes and objects thereof, vit is manifestthat numerous changes andvariation-s in the structural details and relative arrangement of theparts may be resorted to without Iinvolving any substantal change in thestructurev itself or sacrificing any of the meritsand advantagesthereof. Hence, I donot i limit the invention tothe particularvembodiment shown for purposes of illustration, but

Vreserve all such variations, modificationsA mechanicaliplayinginstrument, and a tray slidably mounted beneath said bed, of an electriccircuit switch mounted on `'said tray, and a pair of push-rods forclosing and opening said switch slidably mounted in and projectingforwardly of the front edge vof said tray and coupledk for simultaneousmovements in opposite directions.

3. The combination with the key-bed of a mechanical playing instrument,and a tray slidably mounted beneath said bed, of an electric circuitswitch mounted on said tray, a manually operable member for closing saidswitch projecting beyond the front edge of said tray, a normally closedvalve controllingmechanism for throwing in the roll motor transmissionmounted on said tray, and means actuated by said manually operablemember for opening said valve simultaneously with the closing of saidswitch. i

4. The combination with the key-bed of a mechanical *playing instrument,and a tray slidably mounted beneath said bed, of an electric circuitswitch mounted on said tray, a push-rod for closing said switchprojecting beyond the front edge of said tray, an automatic switchopening device comprising a pneumatic mounted on said tray having itsmovable side connected to said push-rod, and a normally closed valvecontrolling mechanism for throwing in the roll motor transmissionmounted on said tray opposite the ,movable side of said pneumatic andadapted-to -be struck and opened by said movable vsidewhen said push-rodis actuated to close said switch.

' 5. The combination with the key-bed of a mechanical playinginstrument, anda tray slidably mounted beneath said bed, o'l anelectriccircuit switch mounted on said tray,

a push-rod for closing' said switch projecting beyondtlie Yfront edge ofsaid tray, an a'utomaticswitcl'i opening device 'comprising a' pneumaticmounted on said tray and a thrustfconnection between the movable sideof'said pneumatic andV said push-rod, a

spring-closedl valve controlling mechanism for throwing in the rollmotor transmission mounted on said tray opposite the movable side ofsaid pneumatic and adapted Jto be struck and opened by said movable sidewhen said pusli-iod'is moved inwardly to close said switch, and a springactingtopai'- i tially retract said push-rod suliciently to retract saidmovable side Jfrom said valve and permitthe latter to closewithoutopening said switch. I

6. Thecombinatioii with the -kjeybed o't' a mechanical playinginstrument7 anda tray Yslidably mounted beneath said bed, of a playbottomv thereof, and tubes communicating' with said air ducts, of leafspring valves attached to the under side of said tray normally closingsaid air ducts, and manually operateddepressible plungers mounted insaid tray bearing at'tlieir lower ends of said valves. f

8. The combination with the key-bed of a mechanical playing instrument,and a tray vslidably'mounted beneath saidk bed, of a tempo scale on saidtray, a tempo lever pivoted on said tray formed with a handle poi',-tion projecting forwardly of the front edge ot' said tray, and a pointeron'said lever overlying said scale. j Y I s 9. The combination with thekey-bed. of a mechanical nplaying instrument, and a tray Vrslidabl'vmounted beneath said bed formed with a horizontal slot in its frontv-edge portion, Aof a tempo scale on said tray overlying said'slot7 a"tempo lever pivoted on saidtray formed-'with a downwardly otlset handleport-ion extending through and'beyond said slot, and a pointer on saidlever overlying said scale. y f Y 10.- The combination with the key-bedof a mechanical playing instrument, of front and rear bearing blocksattachedto `the under side 'of said bed, a tray comprising a bottomplate, front and rear bars attached to said bottom plate, andv rodsattached to and crosswise of said bars and slidable in said bearingblocks, said bars and bearing blocks constituting co-operating stops tolimit the in and out sliding movements of said tray, and instrument:controls mounted on said tray equipped with .manual operating devicesmounted in said front ybar of the tray. y

` EDMOND A. HUSEBY.

